Design as Conversation

The Simpsons - Banksy's intro (HD) | Flabber

A popular graffiti artist, Banksy, recreated the opening credits for Sunday’s episode of ‘The Simpsons.’ Banksy has been known for publicly stenciling images concerning social and political issues, guerilla-style. ‘The Simpsons’ have been known to poke fun at various American ways. Typically, a viewer watches the show to sit back and laugh at what others are doing. There have been mixed reactions coming from Simpsons’ fans. People don’t know whether they should be depressed or laugh. “Design is a conversation.” Banksy created conversation, an international conversation, and it spread like a virus. Being on YouTube for 3 days now, the video has already had 2,865,673 views.

Banksy is creating a conversation about the ethics of outsourced labor. In fact, the conversation can be read through the 4000+ comments on YouTube and with the 17,000 reactions of ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes.’ It may be half-kidding with some of the absurd ideas of a unicorn poking holes through ‘The Simpsons” DVDs, but it shows the harsh reality of outsourced labor. A show that is typically making fun of the idiocy of American ways chose to air this side effect of ‘The Simpsons’ craze. Outsourced labor is, typically, not in the forefront of our minds. But, we must acknowledge it. It was a more than effective way of communicating the message. It was aired as the opening of the show, not through the web or through YouTube. It was aimed and made a direct hit at the target audience. Not only are ‘The Simpsons’ fans “at fault” but, also, anyone who goes to a store and buys something. Mass produced goods and convenience comes with a cost. One cannot rely on a company to have ethics, the consumer must be conscious. The effect of this message is ringing and will continue to ring as it airs for the first time in other countries around the world. The repercussions of internationally airing this message remain to be seen, but it is definitely raising awareness.


http://www.banksy.co.uk/ 
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20101011/16353511375/fox-gets-tons-of-attention-for-banksy-simpsons-video-then-pulls-it-off-youtube.shtml